(Chadron)-Earlier this spring, Wahlstrom Ford in Chadron hosted a Drive 1 4 Ur School event for the Fine Arts Department at Chadron High School. Today (Monday), Rob Wahlstrom presented a check to Jill Paopao for the event. According to Paopao, with the funds from Ford and the concessions, the Fine Arts Department received just over $3,000.

The funds will go toward new theater curtains in the high school auditorium. Wahlstrom is a former Chadron High School student, and although he doesn’t remember for sure, he estimates the curtains were there when he graduated in 1968, which is the first class to graduate from that facility. Whether they were there in 1968 or not, Wahlstrom said they are the original curtains that were hung in the auditorium.

Scott Cavin with Chadron State College was the first to notice the dire condition of the theater curtains and the tracks they are suspended on. Paopao said Cavin deemed the current curtains in very poor shape, and recommended they be replaced. Upon researching this type of theater curtain, Paopao said they can run anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000.

Although the $3,000 will not cover the costs of the curtains, both Paopao and Wahlstrom said there are other places that can be tapped into to help with the funding, and Paopao said the Fine Arts Department will also consider other fundraising options later in the summer.